Yesterday's service and memorials were...couldn't have been more positive and appropriate and significant signs of love for Jerry. Family is expected,  college and work friends aren't usually, but Jerry garnerd that including this ex-brother in law. There is a saying from many years ago.."savages don't live far from the water" it was  geographic reference and came to mean we are quickly touched with meaningful emotions as I found so impactful yesterday. (Insert box of kleenex here)..

Such courage, grace and blessings I've not experienced in a long time. I'm not a religious person anymore,  but I found beautiful encouragement in everything spoken at the church and reception. It all left me warm and fuzzy as we exited through the chilly rain.

I know Margaret is comforted by her children today..and grandchildren too.

Thanks for including me in celebration of your beautiful guy!

In my career I’ve worked with several great mentors. They’ve provided guidance, steered me in the right direction, let me go to succeed and  sometimes even fail.

Webster’s defines Mentor as “a trusted counselor or guide”, secondly as “Tutor; Coach”. I can think of many people I’ve worked with who are truly defined by those definitions and by their character; some mentored more than others, yet there is one mentor who I will always value and I'll never forget the lessons he taught me early on in my career.

I was fortunate to work for Jerry during my senior year and the year right after graduation.  Jerry taught me the importance of focus, not just for "today", but thinking forward, in both the job tasks at hand and thinking about “what’s next”. He taught me the importance of hard work and enjoyable play. He taught the importance of strong family ties.

Most important of all, Jerry modeled all of these by example.

I called Jerry a year or so back, we hadn’t spoken in quite some time, yet we picked up just as if we were hanging in the office together. As we caught up on life, families, weddings,  what we were working on today, I let Jerry know how much I appreciated the guidance he provided to me so many years ago, how formative it was in my approach to managing people, managing the business and life balance, building for success. 

Who you should thank for their mentor-ship to you in your career and personal growth path?

I thank you Jerry McEniry, Rest in Peace my Friend, I miss you and will always remember the impact you had on my and so many others.